Chapter Text
Astrid shocked herself awake, her whole body shifted as she prepared for pain. As she opened her eyes finding herself a healing ward back on Asgard. Silence. It was quiet. Too quiet. She couldn't move her head, her head stiff and looking forward. She lifted her hands and slammed them into the golden protection field surrounding her. Her fingers moved around the blankets each side of her, her fingers finding a small stick with a button on the end. With a quick press the protection field opened. Pain...there is was. She slowly leaned up with restricted access. Her fingers brushing over the neck brace around her neck. Her right arm in a cast and her left leg and foot also locked into a white cast. To the left of her bed was a wheelchair. She jumped onto her one good leg and wobbled before flipping herself into the chair with a heavy thump and sigh escaping her. Her memory a little foggy, she remember fighting Thanos. She remembered him kicking her ass but how did she get back here? She breach forward pulling the curtain back from around her bed, to find Loki curled up in a chair, fast sleep. She smiled slightly as she reached out placing her hand on his. Their soft touch had Astrid locked in without a choice she was forced into feeling and attaching to Loki. Her eyes white as she felt Loki rushing through her. His pain. Oh god so much pain. His screams echoing through her veins, sending a sudden shiver throughout her body. She saw her body in Heimdall's arms from Loki's perspective. Loki crying and screaming asking if she was okay.
Astrid's eyes were close, her entire body limp. Blood trickling from her onto the rainbow bridge. She honestly looked dead. Scratches, bruises and dirt covered her whole body. Her dress torn and ripped. Loki took her body from Heimdall, his fingers brushing over her face wiping away the blood.
"Astrid..." His voice was broken. The plea of a lonely child "Astrid please" His tears dropping onto her face, carrying blood and dirt in its wake "You cant leave me Astrid. Wake up!" He carried her quickly down the bridge, desperate to get help for her. Her eyes flutter softly, a groan escaping her as she opened her mouth. Blood spluttering out, Loki took her head lifting it slightly.
"Astrid stay with me" He pleaded as he ran with her.
"I...got him" she said as blood spluttered out "I saved...." her words trailed off as her head fell heavy again. Loki tapped her cheek a little "Astrid stay with me" he said trying to keep her conscious "Loki..." she gasped "I...lov..." Her head fell limp with the rest of her body.
"Help her" Loki snarled as he pushed through the doors to the medical wing "She has to survive at all costs" Loki demanded as he laid Astrid down on the bed. A small puddle of blood loomed below her head. Doctors and nurses surrounded her, her dress removed showing the wounds to her lower body. Her ribs bruised. Loki just watched with a deep and dark anger boiling within him.
A gasp released Astrid from Loki's connection, her eyes wide as she stared at Loki who was wide eyed staring back at her. His face was shocked and half sleepy. His hands were slow and hesitant at first, as if she were a dream. His fingers brushed over her messy red hair.
"Are you real?" His voice trembled. She closed her eyes at his touch
"I'm real" Her breath shuddered after seeing what she had seen. She saw herself die. She looked down at her body.
"Astrid how could you have been so stupid!" His whispers were angry "You died! Twice. They didn't think you would ever leave the coma" Loki pressed his forehead against hers. Tears streamed down his cheeks as she lifted her hand up to cup his cheek.
"Loki I'm fine. I promise you" She whispered back to him "I'm sorry I left" she looked into her weeping eyes "I just knew Odin wasn't going to do anything. I felt it when I touched him. He's given up Loki. He doesn't care anymore without Frigga" Astrid said sadly "Someone had to protect the nine realms. I knew I could do it Loki and.." She paused and looked down at the floor beneath her. Her finger tips glowing green as her fingers danced to their song. Green magic covering her broken leg and foot. The cast cracking and snapping as she broke it apart. The relief of her bare skin against the air was pleasant. She closed her eyes as she rounded her ankle, a few clicks and it was fixed. Her eyes returning to Loki as he remained flabbergasted by her actions.
"What are you doing? You're still healing" Loki urged her and tried to stop her. Her dark black eyes shot at him with a hiss.
"I am fixing her" the dark voice whispered to him. Loki watched as Astrid did the same to her arm and neck. A sharp click of her neck and she was released from her restraints. Her dark eyes returned to green as she returned her gaze upon Loki.
"I knew the risks Loki. One life for billions" She continued "It was my duty. Something Odin should have done and didn't"
"No no" Loki shook his head "We are not skipping over that" Loki stared at her intensely.
"Loki lets not make it more than a bigger deal than it is. I simply dabbled in some dark magic to heal myself?"
"That was not dark magic. You hissed at me..." Loki stood up towering over Astrid. Astrid now free from her casts stood up to match him. She was still shorter which made Loki smirk slightly at her attempt at toughness.
"Look..." Astrid sighed and lifted her head back trying to work out how to tell him. "I have a goddess within me" Astrid finally told Loki. The words tumbling from her lips.
"A what?" Loki seemed stunned
"A goddess"
"Of what?"
"Fidelity"
Loki's eyes widened in front of her. Words trying to come from his mouth but became scoffs of disbelief.
"It happened a long time ago. I'd be dead right now on that planet without her help"
They both stared at each other, Astrid's arms crossed as she stared firmly at Loki. The doors to the medical wing smashed open making them both jump. Thor stood there, panting.
"Loki" he bellowed before seeing Astrid "Sister!" Thor rushed to Astrid and lifted her up into the air.
"Thor be careful she's still recovering" Loki warned protectively.
"I'm so happy to see you. We thought you would never wake" Thor pressed Astrid close to him. She felt so small compared to him. Her palms pressed against his cold armour.
"I'm okay brother..." she said with a half chuckle "Starving hungry though. How long was I under?"
"Three months" both the boys said at once
"What?" Astrid looked at them both wide eyed "three...months?" Astrid stumbled back and slouched in her chair. She'd been unconscious for six whole months. She stared forward as Thor turned to Loki.
"Father has requested us" He tried to whisper
"I guess we should take Astrid too?" Loki suggested as Astrid got back onto her feet.
"Are you okay to move?" Thor asked Astrid, his hand on her arm. She gave a small nod. she'd missed out on so much. She watched both the boys moved past her, heading out into the hallway. She looked down at herself seeing she was wearing a golden hospital gown. She couldn't go to a summoning dressed like this. She clicked her fingers wearing a dark green gown, with golden Asgardian patterns flowing around the edges. Her red hair pinned up, with curls dangling down her back. With a happy state she followed the boys out of the medical wing.
They arrived at Odin's chambers, everyone sitting around the table. Both Loki and Thor split revealing Astrid as she walked into the room. She took her seat beside Thor, opposite Loki. Sif leaned in to Astrid.
"Its good to see you up and well little warrior" She said softly
"Yes you certainly almost ended up in Valhalla" Fandral chuckled
"Oh must you be so insensitive?" Sif snapped at him "She saved all the nine realms. If anyone at this table deserves your respect it is her" she turned and shot a wink to Astrid
"Uh...whats the meeting for?" Astrid leaned in and questioned Thor. He gave a big smile and patted her on the head
"You shall see little sister" Thor smirked as Odin entered. Everyone was quick and rose to their feet and lowered their heads. They all seated after him. Astrid had both her palms on the table. She saw the scars from all the cuts on her hands, her fingers pulled up the sleeve showing more. She gulped and pulled her sleeve down turning her attention to Odin.
"Welcome everyone" Odin shot a look to Astrid "Hello little one. I'm glad you were able to attend. This one is for you. Its important you are here" Astrid frowned unsure what he meant by that "Its good to see you well little one" he turned his head away from her and to everyone else.
"So as you know, Thor resigned his right to be king as he plans to go to Midgard and be with his love" Odin began. Astrid looked at Thor
"You're leaving?" She said firmly. Thor just smiled at her, his hand wrapped around hers with a small squeeze.
"With that said, I have had to choose who will become the new ruler of Asgard" Astrid shot a look to Loki smiling at him. With Thor gone, Loki would surely become heir. She flashed him. a smile and wink truly happy for him but he remained firm, as he tilted his head back to Odin.
"With great difficulty this has brought me. I have gone around and asked you all at this table who should rule and you have all come to a decision it seems" Odin sighed slightly. Loki surely with that frustration. He genuinely didn't seem happy.
"Astrid I know this will seem like a lot" Odin began "You will learn to grow into it" Astrid looked to both Loki who was smiling wide and Thor doing the same.
"Will you accept the honour of being the Queen of Asgard. Protector of the Nine Realms?" Astrid's mouth dropped as she heard the words coming at her. Her eyes glanced to everyone at the table.
"Wh..." she stopped "N..." she covered her face with her hands and tried to breathe calmly "Queen? What about Loki?" Astrid muttered
"Loki has also given up the title" Odin sighed. She looked to Loki. He had always wanted to be king. Why would he have done this for her?
"Why me?" Astrid said nervously
"Well it seems, with your act of heroic. The act of being willing to sacrifice yourself for billions worked a charm on everyone. You proved yourself worthy" Odin huffed. He wasn't happy with the choice. Thor lifted his hammer up onto the table. Astrid's eyes dropped to it. Her heart pounded in her chest.
"We think you deserve to be Queen Astrid" Sif said proudly, Astrid shot her eyes to her.
"You saved the nine realms from terror. If anyone can lead Asgard to safety it is you sister" Thor said as he held Astrid's hand softly. She stared at everyone around the table, it was a heavy decision to make after just recovering.
"See if you can lift it" Thor chuckled "Show yourself your worth sister"
Astrid gulped as her eyes dropped back to Thor's hammer. She lifted her hand up, wrapping her fingers around the handle. Her hand trembling as she firmed her grip. She closed her eyes taking a shaky breath. She expected restraint. But it was like lifting a feather. Her eyes shot open as she looked seeing her hammer in her hand in front of her.
"See told you brother. Worthy" Thor said happily. Loki gave Astrid a small nod.
"Astrid. Daughter of Frigga. There is no one else" Odin said firmly, his voice echoing. Astrid jumped turning her attention back to Odin. The hammer in her hand firmly.
"Okay" Astrid breathed, her eyes shot to Loki. He smiled widely, proudly.
"I accept" She said looking back to Odin "I'll protect the nine realms"